In a fascinating twist, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, an entry from the venerable and long-standing series, has fallen victim to review bombing. However, in an ironic mix-up, it’s not the latest 2023 release that’s bearing the brunt of player dissatisfaction but its namesake predecessor from 2011. This bizarre situation proves that the passionate and sometimes reactionary nature of the intenret but also the complexities of contemporary franchise titling and marketing.
Call of Duty has been a staple in the gaming industry for over two decades, delivering a new title annually to become a game that’s synonymous with the holiday season gaming rush. While the series has seen its fair share of ups and downs, it has remained commercially successful, although the quality and innovation of each entry have varied. Its pivot to the futuristic settings in the mid-2010s led to a yearning among fans for a return to the Modern Warfare games’ glory days, a sentiment that led Infinity Ward to reboot Modern Warfare with a more grounded approach. However, the decision to recycle titles has led to an unexpected quandary.
Modern Warfare 3 from 2023 is set to include maps from both the original Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and its rebooted counterpart (2022), creating a confusing overlap. This has led to a surge of review bombing on Metacritic, though, in a twist of fate, the anger is mistakenly directed at the original Modern Warfare 3 from 2011. This isn’t the first time it has faced backlash either. Upon its release, fans criticized it for being too similar to its predecessor, dubbing it MW 2.0. In spite of this, the game has since been reassessed more favorably, particularly since becoming available through Xbox’s backward compatibility.
The original Modern Warfare 3 from 2011 is being review bombed by people mistaking it for the new #MWIII pic.twitter.com/xTFKDIglkF
— Modern Warfare 3 News (@WarzoneIntel) November 4, 2023
Complicating matters further, the full release of Modern Warfare 3 is yet to launch, scheduled for November 10. Until then, users can’t submit their reviews on Metacritic. Nevertheless, early access to the game’s campaign has ignited the latest wave of fan dissatisfaction, primarily due to its brevity relative to its $70 price tag.
Many are now taking to Metacritic to express their grievances, albeit misdirecting them toward the 2011 title. Despite efforts by Metacritic to remove these misplaced critiques, many have been captured and circulated on social media, highlighting fan discontent with terms such as “slap in the face” and “underwhelming” to describe the new campaign.
The controversy extends beyond the campaign, as Modern Warfare 3 feels like a DLC for Modern Warfare 2 as well as its file size. Ironically, as we’ve previously mentioned, Modern Warfare 3 faced similar criticisms. However, there’s optimism surrounding its multiplayer aspect, with promises of weapon tuning improvements from Sledgehammer Games.
It’s important to recognize that Activision’s decision to reboot the Modern Warfare trilogy using the same titles is the main reason for this. While the negative reviews for 2011’s Modern Warfare 3 on Metacritic are somewhat humorous in their misdirection, their proof of a broader sentiment of discontent. This isn’t just about a game’s quality but also about the way it’s marketed and the expectations it sets.
Whether Modern Warfare 3 can rebound from this rocky start remains unclear. With its full release imminent, offering three fully-fledged game modes and introducing zombies to the Modern Warfare franchise, the game has a chance to restore its standing. However, the community’s initial reactions suggest that this might be an uphill battle, and the true test will come when players can officially submit their reviews for the latest installment.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 isn’t coming to Game Pass even if it’s technically the first Call of Duty game to launch as part of Microsoft Gaming. Activision Blizzard games aren’t expected to come to the popular subscription service until next year.
